18 Common Reasons Your Dog Throwing Up Yellow Bile

Although considered a relatively common occurrence, dogs throwing up yellow bile could imply something dreadful is taking place inside their bodies. The bile, a digestive fluid excreted by lived, is normally stored in the dog’s gallbladder.
Primarily responsible for breaking down the fat content in food into smaller molecules, this yellow juice can get something thrown out of the dog’s system through vomiting. These are 18 reasons why this process happens and how they affect the dog’s health.
1. Empty Stomach
A dog's stomach, when empty for an extended period, can cause this symptom to appear. Sometimes referred to as bilious vomiting syndrome, the condition can be a repetitive occurrence, especially in the early morning or late at night.
Bile can be irritating on an empty stomach; often worsened by irregular feeding schedules or long gaps between meals. Feeding dogs smaller, but more frequent meals, is a possible solution to this issue.
2. Dietary Indiscretion
If your dog is vomiting yellow, dietary imbalance could be responsible. In instances where the food can’t supplement the required protein and other nutrients, the stomach can’t compensate for the production of bile.
The buildup of bile is detrimental to the dog, causing it to throw up. Set up a plan to monitor your dog’s reaction to suspected foods. If the problem repeats, avoid the food or replace with a different brand, based on your vet’s analysis.
3. Food Sensitivity
Symptoms like diarrhea, itching, and ear infections are all potential indicators of a sensitive stomach - pinpoint the offending ingredient with an elimination diet. As its name suggests, this process involves feeding the dog a protein source, and gradually adding more foods to identify the unique signs.
After the food sensitivity in dogs is established, remove it to prevent future accidents. Transitioning to hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient dog food is a temporary solution until you replace with better foods.
4. Gastrointestinal Infections
Also referred to as stomach flu, this condition may emerge in the form of an infection in or around the gastrointestinal tract. Dogs, suffering or suspected of these conditions, exhibit dry mouth or sunken eyes, often due to dehydration.
Though not contagious, dogs can still infect other animals through feces and spit. Even pet owners can get these infections through their pets; so, always disinfect or wash your hands after touching your sick friend.
5. Pancreatitis
Caused by pancreas inflammation, pancreatitis is a digestion issue that messes with insulin production. The condition gets triggered as a result of certain factors including high-fat diets, obesity, and genetic predisposition.
Diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs is relatively easy; abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and dehydration are consistent symptoms. This condition is life-threatening if left untreated, causing complications like organ failure.
6. Intestinal Blockages
Dogs are naturally curious; they love to experiment with their foods, even eating inedible foreign objects. When the object is substantially large, it can cause intestinal obstruction. These objects, anything from toys or bones, can get lodged in the intestines and block the passage of food.
The blockage, as it builds up digestive juices, prevents food from moving through the intestines. When the liquid accumulates too much, it can cause a physical reaction, leading to the vomiting of yellow bile.
7. Liver Dysfunction
The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body by expelling the harmful substances- but, when it malfunctions, the organ can cause severe damage and even shutdown the body temporarily.
The amount and frequency of the vomit can vary, depending on the severity of liver damage. While a mild liver enzyme elevation might subside after a few days, liver failure calls for immediate vet attention.
8. Gallbladder Issues
As a pet parent, you should be ready for gallbladder problems as they don’t discriminate breed. Their sensitive gallbladder makes almost all dog breeds are at risk of gallbladder problems - especially Pomeranians and Chihuahuas.
Natural supplements, such as drinking milk thistle and turmeric, can be effective for temporary relief; but, seek a long-term solution to protect gallbladder health.
9. Gastroesophageal Reflux
A chronic condition, gastroesophageal reflux occurs as a reserve flow of stomach acids into the esophagus from the stomach. In canines with this condition, stomach acid manages to pass through the sphincter into the esophagus.
If it reaches the esophagus, it can be highly distressing due to the stomach acid. The fluid within the esophagus causes esophagitis, along with other illnesses.
10. Ingesting Toxins
Watching over your dog constantly is impossible, so the next best thing is to ensure toxins remain inaccessible to your dog. If you are worried, watch out for symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, combined with neurological signs like tremors or seizures.
Similarly, be aware of medications for pets that your dog may mistake for a treat. Some medications are flavored to be more easily accepted by your pet. Keep medications high to prevent accidents of overdose.
11. Motion Sickness
As fun as they are, car rides can also disturb a dog’s sense of balance, especially in young puppies or dogs that haven’t travel in cars. Leaving an empty stomach can cause bile buildup; but overeating before a trip is also equally harmful.
If the dog is nauseated, be prepared to clean up the yellowish foam. Stress and anxiety associated with travel can also contribute to poor health.
12. Parvovirus
A highly contagious and potentially fatal virus, the parvovirus infestation spreads the canine family including dogs. Along with its severe effect on the gastrointestinal tract, this virus also attacks the WBCs.
Canines can catch this virus from other dogs; mostly through stool and even direct contact with the infected cat. The virus is treatable but at great cost; infected dogs need to spend multiple days in a hospital in addition to thousands of dollars in fees.
13. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Aging in dogs comes with several health problems - IBD takes hold more easily in middle-aged and older dogs. Although not proven, German Shepherds and Boxers are considered to be more predisposed to this illness.
As chronic inflammation occurs blocking the bile flow, it can cause damage to the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. This chronic condition often requires lifelong treatment; but, with proper treatment, many dogs can live comfortable lives.
14. Allergic Reactions
Dogs are prone to allergens, either in food or the environment. If they get itchy or sneeze excessively, an allergen could have triggered a reaction.
Canine allergies are contagious and can spread to humans. Dog owners who get allergic reactions should not handle their pets without proper gloves and masks.
15. Medication Side Effects
Was your dog recently sick? The yellow froth could be a potential side effect of the medicine used in the treatment.
The vomiting should naturally stop as the dog's body adjusts to the medication. However, if the vomiting continues, check for gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, liver or kidney damage.
16. Diet Changes
Suddenly switching foods can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, which may sometimes make them vomit yellow bile. Just like a human’s reaction to a foreign food; the dog's system needs time to adjust to new ingredients and nutrient content - which is why you should always transition gradually.
While high-quality dog foods like whole proteins, grains, and fresh vegetables will add a few dollars more to your budget, they will be beneficial in the long run. Take around 7 to 10 days to properly get the dog to adapt to the new diet; mix a small amount with the current food and raise the portion over the week.
17. Eating Too Fast
After an exercise session or even sleep, a dog may get overexcited by the smell of its favorite food. When trying to eat too much food, they often swallow the surrounding air.
Excess swallowing of air can result in bloating, along with throwing up and long-term problems with digestion. If the dog has made a habit out of this, consider retraining your pet. A simple but effective way is serving their food by dividing into 2-3 bowls.
18. Stress
Stress can get overlooked in dogs as it is hard to notice. Among the many physiological changes experienced by an anxious dog, a malicious rise in stomach acid production is a recurrence.
The digestive system is closely connected to the nervous system. So, when a dog is stressed, it often manifests as bile vomiting. The trigger can be a shift to a new home, separation anxiety, and loud noises. For some dogs, even minor changes in their routine are enough.
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